DO YOU LIKE OUR BLAZERS ROSTER?

[m0ng0]

Man if Little could/does improve and stays healthy this could potentially be a nice little team. Where do you see walker playing best? 3 or 4?

[Goldbum]

I would feel a lot better if we could sign Dwight Howard. IDK he just seems like the right fit in our second unit. Imagine if we traded Winslow for a couple of 2nds (we hired our "Super Scout" for a reason) and signed Dwight.
I do love Winslow and believe he could be an under rated piece but he's going to be a FA and if he shows out I doubt we keep him anyway. So getting that real center makes us better now and those future 2nd bring flexibility later.

[tester551]

I think they are a starting SF away from competing. I wouldn't mind a better backup big either.

PG Lillard / Simons
SG Payton II / Hart / Johnson
SF ??? / Little / Sharpe
PF Grant / Winslow / Walker
_C Nurkic / Eubanks / Watford

I know Simon's will start, but I like both units. Hart could start, but I think they could use his offense with the backup unit, which is not needed as much with the starting unit.

Any guesses who #15 will be?

I'd prefer to see Hart start at the SG position.

There will not be a #15 guy. Portland sits ~$65k under the tax line. If they sign anyone, Portland will be in the tax. That player has to be worth ~$10M (because Portland would loose out on the tax distribution $) to sign the guy.

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

As much as I love Simons I still see him as the primary piece in a all in move for KD or someone around that 10-20 BPA at the deadline, especially with Nas entering RFA. It would make a lot of sense to make a consolidation trade with all our young players IMO.

[GEE]

I also think that Hart at the starting SG would be ideal, but not expecting to see it happen. But I could easily see him starting at the SF to start the season, with Little as the B/U, and eventual starter making Hart tradable. Even easier to do if Shaedon looks good early on.

Jabari Walker at 6'7/214, looks more like a 3 to me, and 100% WING. He, like Shaedon could be one of those guys you just have a hard time not giving minutes to... By earning them, but only getting the garbage minutes. Answer... more garbage minutes. And Winslow could be the obvious casualty here, when that trade DL gets near.

Then there is the slightest of chances that both Hart and Winslow have such great seasons early on, that J.Grant becomes the trade chip. Lots of competition all around. Think we will just have to again, wait and see how all the pieces fit first, before we put together any potential consolidation trade package.

What if Simons does in fact take another leap? What if that improvement outperforms and outshines Dame?

[BNM]

I also think that Hart at the starting SG would be ideal, but not expecting to see it happen. But I could easily see him starting at the SF to start the season, with Little as the B/U, and eventual starter making Hart tradable. Even easier to do if Shaedon looks good early on.

Jabari Walker at 6'7/214, looks more like a 3 to me, and 100% WING. He, like Shaedon could be one of those guys you just have a hard time not giving minutes to... By earning them, but only getting the garbage minutes. Answer... more garbage minutes. And Winslow could be the obvious casualty here, when that trade DL gets near.

Then there is the slightest of chances that both Hart and Winslow have such great seasons early on, that J.Grant becomes the trade chip. Lots of competition all around. Think we will just have to again, wait and see how all the pieces fit first, before we put together any potential consolidation trade package.

What if Simons does in fact take another leap? What if that improvement outperforms and outshines Dame?

Walker is 1/4" taller than Jerami Grant and has similar standing reach and wingspan to Aaron Gordon, two guys who have no problem playing the 4 in today's NBA. It's actually a great asset to have guys like Grant, Gordon and hopefully Walker who can easily switch between the 4 and 3.

I like Ant and am pleased with his progress, but outshining Dame is beyond optimistic. Ant is a great pure shooter, but Dame gets to the line 2.5x as much, gets to the rim twice as often and finishes better when he does. Dame is also a much better playmaker. His AST% has been above 34.0 three years in a row. Ant posted a career best AST% of 22.2 last season, which is lower than Dame's career worst.

Ant has the potential to be better than CJ, but if you think he'll ever be better than Dame, you are have forgotten just how good Dame is.

Edit: Quote from Zach Lowe's podcast:

"The Bucks were sneakily kind of sniffing around Jerami Grant in Detroit before Portland swooped in. I think they like the idea of the switchable, switchable, switchable guys."

Those type of defenders are highly prized in the modern NBA. We basically stole Jerami Grant. His switchable defense should be a huge asset for the Blazers. I hope Chauncey's defensive schemes take full advantage of Grant's versatility. With guys like Grant, Winslow and Payton, POR has a trio of great defenders who can defend multiple positions at a high level.

[Case2012]

I also think that Hart at the starting SG would be ideal, but not expecting to see it happen. But I could easily see him starting at the SF to start the season, with Little as the B/U, and eventual starter making Hart tradable. Even easier to do if Shaedon looks good early on.

Jabari Walker at 6'7/214, looks more like a 3 to me, and 100% WING. He, like Shaedon could be one of those guys you just have a hard time not giving minutes to... By earning them, but only getting the garbage minutes. Answer... more garbage minutes. And Winslow could be the obvious casualty here, when that trade DL gets near.

Then there is the slightest of chances that both Hart and Winslow have such great seasons early on, that J.Grant becomes the trade chip. Lots of competition all around. Think we will just have to again, wait and see how all the pieces fit first, before we put together any potential consolidation trade package.

What if Simons does in fact take another leap? What if that improvement outperforms and outshines Dame?

Walker is 1/4" taller than Jerami Grant and has similar standing reach and wingspan to Aaron Gordon, two guys who have no problem playing the 4 in today's NBA. It's actually a great asset to have guys like Grant, Gordon and hopefully Walker who can easily switch between the 4 and 3.

I like Ant and am pleased with his progress, but outshining Dame is beyond optimistic. Ant is a great pure shooter, but Dame gets to the line 2.5x as much, gets to the rim twice as often and finishes better when he does. Dame is also a much better playmaker. His AST% has been above 34.0 three years in a row. Ant posted a career best AST% of 22.2 last season, which is lower than Dame's career worst.

Ant has the potential to be better than CJ, but if you think he'll ever be better than Dame, you are have forgotten just how good Dame is.

Edit: Quote from Zach Lowe's podcast:

"The Bucks were sneakily kind of sniffing around Jerami Grant in Detroit before Portland swooped in. I think they like the idea of the switchable, switchable, switchable guys."

Those type of defenders are highly prized in the modern NBA. We basically stole Jerami Grant. His switchable defense should be a huge asset for the Blazers. I hope Chauncey's defensive schemes take full advantage of Grant's versatility. With guys like Grant, Winslow and Payton, POR has a trio of great defenders who can defend multiple positions at a high level.

I agree with all of this. I feel like Chauncey wants to recreate the Pistons and if you look at the guys we’ve been targeting they fit that mold of long switchable wings built like brick **** houses. I’m almost willing to bet money we trade for OG around the deadline. We identified Grant as a target and were patient getting him when we didn’t trade for him at last years deadline, and I think it’ll be a similar situation with OG this year. I think it will probably be Hart and Nas or Winslow which might be a wash but this is the move I’m predicting since all three are expiring.

[Goldbum]

Hart + Winslow + a couple 2nds for OG would be ideal. I don't imagine it happening but if the cards fell that way we would have a really interesting team.
What if J-Walk pops though. Let's say he's playing at an above average starter level... Could he solve our SF problems? Starting Grant and Walker the size and rebounding issues in our starting five. It also frees up Shaedon to absorb some of Hart's minutes. Keon could really be a player and diving Hart's minutes amongst Nas/Shaedon/Keon/GP2 leaves us with enough back court depth (though untested).

[BlazersBroncos]

Hart + Winslow + a couple 2nds for OG would be ideal. I don't imagine it happening but if the cards fell that way we would have a really interesting team.
What if J-Walk pops though. Let's say he's playing at an above average starter level... Could he solve our SF problems? Starting Grant and Walker the size and rebounding issues in our starting five. It also frees up Shaedon to absorb some of Hart's minutes. Keon could really be a player and diving Hart's minutes amongst Nas/Shaedon/Keon/GP2 leaves us with enough back court depth (though untested).

TOR values OG very highly. I wouldnt be surprised if they passed on Hart + Winslow + 2 FRP.

I think the OG dream died when TOR wanted Hart, 7 and another pick during the draft.

[Bigpoppapomp82]

I like the idea of adding Dwight Howard or someone similar to play the backup 5 - Eubanks I am not sold on and Watford seems more like a 4 to me personally.

IF and it's a big if, Nas takes a leap this season I think we are in a good place to make a consolidation move to acquire some players to better fill out our roster. I would really like someone like Jared Vanderbilt to start at the 4 and shift Grant to the 3. Haven't checked but maybe Winslow and someone like Keon of GB3 and a pick for JV.

Dame / Ant / Grant / Vanderbilt / Nurk
Ant / Hart / Nas / Watford / Howard

This would be a way more balanced roster then get Sharpe minutes when Ant needs a breather and slide Hart to the primary ball handler. This Roster isn't winning a title but it way more balanced IMO and we have options moving forward. I would also love to see the Blazers somehow get the pick back from the Bulls in case we have any major injuries and end up tanking again? If this happens I am not sure Dame stays with us though.

[BlazersBroncos]

Howard at this point isnt an improvement over Eubanks, would put us into the tax and doesnt have the character that we clearly are targeting up and down the roster. There is a reason he isnt signed, the juice isnt worth the squeeze.

Watford as the small ball C and Eubanks as the regular season goon is fine IMO. If they flame out, we can use some end of bench ballast and a SRP to get someone IMO.

[Goldbum]

What about something like:
Hart
4
Mo Bamba + 2nd round pick?
You only do this if Sharpe/Keon/GP2 show out... but that fixes our size issues in the second unit. Obviously this is throwing a lot of eggs in the Sharpe/Keon basket but if they can hold it down while improving with experience we become a more dangerous team.
Dame/Ant
Ant/Sharpe/Keon
Little/Sharpe/Winslow
Grant/Walker/Watford
Nurkic/Bamba/Eubanks

[Norm2953]

It'll be interesting to see who is playing in the pre-season. Looking forward to the first game in Seattle,
Monday night against the Clippers.

I do think the roster is more or less set. Players like Sharpe, Keon, Walker have to play their way into
the rotation for we will see mostly Dame, Ant and Hart in the back court with Grant, Little and Winslow
in the front court with Nurk and Watford as the centers. It's not a bad team but hardly a serious playoff
contender.

[BlazersBroncos]

What about something like:
Hart
4
Mo Bamba + 2nd round pick?
You only do this if Sharpe/Keon/GP2 show out... but that fixes our size issues in the second unit. Obviously this is throwing a lot of eggs in the Sharpe/Keon basket but if they can hold it down while improving with experience we become a more dangerous team.
Dame/Ant
Ant/Sharpe/Keon
Little/Sharpe/Winslow
Grant/Walker/Watford
Nurkic/Bamba/Eubanks

I dont like it. Bamba has tons of natural talent, but is a complete doofus with the motor of a drunken sloth. He isnt a guy that a team can count on. If he had even a modicum of effort and urgency to his game, he could be a Myles Turner type. But he just doesnt, and he doesnt strike me as the type that suddenly puts it together this late in his career.

ORL fans will tell you, Mo is the guy that will put up 2 blocks and 2 3's in a 5 minute span then dissapear then make a horrible effort play that results in a And1. He is just cruising on talent. Kid would get eaten alive in a playoff atmosphere.

Look at the guys that the FO and Billups have targeted, all are high effort. Mo just isnt a guy I can see this team targeting.

(Also dont think ORL would have interest in adding another guard to Suggs, Fultz, Cole, Gary Harris and Terrance Ross + Josh is old for their timeline)

[GEE]

I just found the time last night, to watch many of the Media Day interviews. This pleased me, because my biggest early concern was if all our guys came physically fit and in shape, and Holy-Cow... All the players I saw looked in absolute, peak physical condition. CHECK.

Listening to both Chauncey and Cronin, the above was a goal, but they talked about lineups and said it will be Dame and Simons starting 1&2, with J.Grant and Nukic 4&5, leaving the role of the starting 3 open for competition. I LOVE IT! Both Coach and GM recognized that we are small but seemed to embrace it, even teasing with the idea of J.Grant as small-ball 5. SCARY! Sounded like we will use(as at least 1 has suggested) Eubanks as a more traditional 5, split with Watford as a small-ball 5, as needed. Mostly this:

Dame / GP2
ANT
Winslow (or) Hart (or) Little
Grant
Nurkic / Eubanks (or) Watford

And you've gotta love the risers: Sharpe / Walker / Keon / GB3(I think). I think we have some other Non-Traditional Contracts too. Hoping we still add the best training camp BigMan to our list of NTCs. Maybe cut one of current ones, while adding H.Giles III, or that C from UK if he shows better, but the best BigMan showing up out of the 4-5 on that roster. Or don't... don't really care cause it won't matter much. And I too find the idea of adding D12 to this team soooooo tempting, but likely smart to pass.

Getting close to the Seattle game. Season start is also quickly approaching. Can't wait because those interviews have made me a believer in this team, and I think we might be quite good. RIP CITY!

[HoopsFanAZ]

I agree with all of this. I feel like Chauncey wants to recreate the Pistons and if you look at the guys we’ve been targeting they fit that mold of long switchable wings built like brick **** houses. I’m almost willing to bet money we trade for OG around the deadline. We identified Grant as a target and were patient getting him when we didn’t trade for him at last years deadline, and I think it’ll be a similar situation with OG this year. I think it will probably be Hart and Nas or Winslow which might be a wash but this is the move I’m predicting since all three are expiring.

The OG pursuit is not over, IMHO. Waiting to see what they have with all the new and returning guys will take time, but the February deadline is the next opportunity for getting talent. I’d expect it’s Hart and Nas.

[BlazersBroncos]

I agree with all of this. I feel like Chauncey wants to recreate the Pistons and if you look at the guys we’ve been targeting they fit that mold of long switchable wings built like brick **** houses. I’m almost willing to bet money we trade for OG around the deadline. We identified Grant as a target and were patient getting him when we didn’t trade for him at last years deadline, and I think it’ll be a similar situation with OG this year. I think it will probably be Hart and Nas or Winslow which might be a wash but this is the move I’m predicting since all three are expiring.

The OG pursuit is not over, IMHO. Waiting to see what they have with all the new and returning guys will take time, but the February deadline is the next opportunity for getting talent. I’d expect it’s Hart and Nas.

Why does TOR move OG for Hart and Nas?

Both are expiring, while OG is locked up. On top of that, they would almost certainly be in a spot to only pay 1 of Hart and GTJ - and due to youth they would pay GTJ. So Hart is a rental for them.

Nas is 3 years younger than OG but your hoping that he develops into an OG - why not just keep OG? Not to mention he is due for a payday, and with his injury history and lack of consistently plus play its likely going to be a far-from-easy decision to pay him or not.

Its just a really bad return for OG. I dont think Hart, Nas and a FRP gets it done either. Probably Hart, Nas and 2 FRP - w/ Hart rerouted to a 3rd team and a big or legit backup PG going to TOR.

And at that point, I dont think I do it.

[BNM]

I agree with all of this. I feel like Chauncey wants to recreate the Pistons and if you look at the guys we’ve been targeting they fit that mold of long switchable wings built like brick **** houses. I’m almost willing to bet money we trade for OG around the deadline. We identified Grant as a target and were patient getting him when we didn’t trade for him at last years deadline, and I think it’ll be a similar situation with OG this year. I think it will probably be Hart and Nas or Winslow which might be a wash but this is the move I’m predicting since all three are expiring.

The OG pursuit is not over, IMHO. Waiting to see what they have with all the new and returning guys will take time, but the February deadline is the next opportunity for getting talent. I’d expect it’s Hart and Nas.

Why does TOR move OG for Hart and Nas?

Both are expiring, while OG is locked up. On top of that, they would almost certainly be in a spot to only pay 1 of Hart and GTJ - and due to youth they would pay GTJ. So Hart is a rental for them.

Nas is 3 years younger than OG but your hoping that he develops into an OG - why not just keep OG? Not to mention he is due for a payday, and with his injury history and lack of consistently plus play its likely going to be a far-from-easy decision to pay him or not.

Its just a really bad return for OG. I dont think Hart, Nas and a FRP gets it done either. Probably Hart, Nas and 2 FRP - w/ Hart rerouted to a 3rd team and a big or legit backup PG going to TOR.

And at that point, I dont think I do it.

Agreed. TOR, more than any team in the league, likes long, switchable defenders in the 6'7" - 6'9" range. They have multiple players of this type, but that doesn't make OG redundant or expendable. He's not as gifted offensively as some of their other switchable parts, but I think he may be the best, most versatile defender on their roster.

Plus, he just turned 25 and is locked up for at least two more seasons. I'm baffled why anyone thinks he's available for spare parts.

[Case2012]

I agree with all of this. I feel like Chauncey wants to recreate the Pistons and if you look at the guys we’ve been targeting they fit that mold of long switchable wings built like brick **** houses. I’m almost willing to bet money we trade for OG around the deadline. We identified Grant as a target and were patient getting him when we didn’t trade for him at last years deadline, and I think it’ll be a similar situation with OG this year. I think it will probably be Hart and Nas or Winslow which might be a wash but this is the move I’m predicting since all three are expiring.

The OG pursuit is not over, IMHO. Waiting to see what they have with all the new and returning guys will take time, but the February deadline is the next opportunity for getting talent. I’d expect it’s Hart and Nas.

Why does TOR move OG for Hart and Nas?

Both are expiring, while OG is locked up. On top of that, they would almost certainly be in a spot to only pay 1 of Hart and GTJ - and due to youth they would pay GTJ. So Hart is a rental for them.

Nas is 3 years younger than OG but your hoping that he develops into an OG - why not just keep OG? Not to mention he is due for a payday, and with his injury history and lack of consistently plus play its likely going to be a far-from-easy decision to pay him or not.

Its just a really bad return for OG. I dont think Hart, Nas and a FRP gets it done either. Probably Hart, Nas and 2 FRP - w/ Hart rerouted to a 3rd team and a big or legit backup PG going to TOR.

And at that point, I dont think I do it.

I don't think there's a reason to consider Hart a rental just because of Trent. They're both big enough to be interchangable at the 2/3 and extending him for 18 a year seems reasonable at only a 6 million raise. They could also decide to replace trent with Hart and trade him for the center you mentioned they need.

Nasir has an injury history but og's is even worse playing less than 40 games a year the last 2 years. You're right about him possibly being better though and due for a raise. But where OG could walk in a few years they could lock up Nas for even longer.

Like I said, I think it's probably a wash in terms of talent and production but it's clear OG fits the physical mold Chaucey and Cronin are looking for so I wouldn't be surprised if they were willing to do that trade. I don't think it's a bad deal at all either. The combined talent of Hart and Nas is greater than og's imo and if the blazers were willing to add a pick then Toronto would be wise to take it because I see og leaving after this deal.

I'm not saying I would do this deal though and Toronto could probably get a better deal, but I think it could make sense for both sides. Does Toronto ask for Shaeden and Hart Instead? Probably, so it won't get done but don't be shocked if it happens.

[CDM_Stats]

I like it better than last year, but count me among the people who think its time to trade Dame before they cant get a good enough return for him. Guys like Nurk and Grant could pump up their numbers as a result and be subsequently dealt. But I think a full-on rebuild is needed, and the pieces are already there to begin (Sharpe, Keon, Simons). And I love having a guy like Payton here as a great glue guy